Feast on London Lunch at the Landmark hotel

Throughout April there have been some fabulous deals if you are looking to eat out in London. Most take the form of a set menu with a cocktail or glass of bubbles for a good price. We happened to have an evening event planned in the middle of April so I had a look around on Bookatable for something that would guarantee a good meal. One of our party has a fairly limited choice available so we looked at lot and lots of menus and found that the one offered by the Landmark suited us all.

The Landmark hotel is just opposite Marylebone station. We have visited before for Sunday brunch (more details here) - a Sunday brunch that is now so popular they are being run on Saturdays too. We loved the brunch so thought we knew this wouldn't disappoint. It didn't include unlimited champagne like the brunch, but one glass was included with three courses for £38, which I thought was fairly good value for a 5 star hotel.

I love the Winter Garden at the Landmark hotel. The light that comes through the atrium is something I haven't come across anywhere else in London; it creates such a peaceful atmosphere. There is a pianist gently playing in the background and the dining area is comfortable and spacious. Sometimes after a morning of shopping or a hard week at work a leisurely lunch in this refined atmosphere can do wonders. Especially when you are greeted with a lovely glass of champagne! (It really is a lovely glass - the champagne that they serve is very good).

I love the extra touches that the Landmark adds. From the gentle white flowers that adorn each table to the dignified butter pats...even the bread rolls come presented beautifully. There was also a continuing supply of these which pleased the menfolk who appreciate seconds.

The menu included in the offer had four choices for each course. Normally when I have taken advantage of a set menu offer there are only two. I could have had all the starters and was torn but eventually chose the slow-cooked seatrout with saffron aioli, caviar and pickled fennel. Delicious.

Even though there were lots of choices three out of the four of us all chose the barbecue short rib of beef with mashed potatoes, mushrooms, Chantenay carrots and glazed baby onion for our main course. Some may think that they would come away from a meal at the Landmark unfulfilled. I couldn't finish mine so that shouldn't be a worry for anyone else (and I have had a 10 course Italian wedding feast more than once!). The beef was beautifully tender and everything was flavoursome.

Now, we share in our family. So when it came to dessert we shared a sweet dessert and swapped to share a cheese platter. I chose a warm chocolate fondant with passion fruit sorbet. Not only was it beautifully presented but also full of surprises. Inside the chocolate fondant were smaller pieces of a variety of chocolate as well as the gooey molten lava, with crispier morsels on top. The passion fruit sorbet was velvety and a perfect balance to the rich chocolate. The photograph doesn't do justice to the beautiful lustre of the sorbet.

The cheese platter does cost an extra £5 and includes a selection of British Cheeses: Cashel Blue, Tor Pyramid, Sheep Rustler, Roll Right, Lincolnshire Poacher, apple & raisin chutney, quince paste & lavash crispbread. Look at the size of it! I particularly liked the goat's cheese and the caramelised walnuts.

Needless to say by the time we finished we were all full to the brim, and finding it hard to move! I thoroughly suggest to anyone eating at the hotel to consider staying over here or at the nearby Travelodge. If we were we probably could have gone to sleep! I also should mention that the staff are fabulous. They are friendly and attentive, setting just the right note for a relaxing lunch. If you are looking for good food, impeccable service and a refined, peaceful atmosphere you won't go far wrong here....just look at this view for lunch!